Nov 27, 2016, 1:30 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
UA has announced that the SFO Polaris lounge is opening 30 April 2018
Summary
The International UC is closed for renovation to a Polaris Club. The SQ & BR lounges have been closed and will be integrated into the new facility. Polaris lounge open 30 April 2018.
SFO Polaris Lounge opens 30 April 2018 (Previews - Press 25th, MP 27th)
The old GFL (near G99) has been converted into a premium cabin international lounge (not an UC). Eventually, it will be converted into a UC for the non-premium cabin international passengers (*G in economy). Now operating as an United Club
The F and E concourse UCs plus again the temporary mezzanine UC lounge (across from Gate 71) are options for those not eligible for the temporary G premium cabin international lounge.
sign
Previous Updates
1 Oct 2017 on united.com
posted 23 Sept 2017
posted 28 Sept 2017
Earlier thread summary
Summary of posts suggest the present SFO Global First Lounge will be available for much of first half of 2017. Reports are that the current Global First Lounge will become a "regular" UC, while the current international (G Terminal) UC will become a Polaris club (which will integrate the space currently housing the SQ & BR lounges). UA is also constructing a new UC, either in Terminal G or E (or both). Construction has begun in the G Terminal United Club, a large portion of which is now boarded off. Latest info from UA suggests "summer 2018" for the SFO Polaris lounge opening.
{Similar Threads:
Polaris Lounge Roadmap 2017-2018 (wiki) (thread) --- UA Polaris lounge update site
Polaris lounge ORD - opened 01 Dec 2016 (wiki) (thread)
SFO Lounge changes? Which will become Polaris? Shower options?(wiki) (thread)
United Polaris-New Business Class seats & inflight service and new Polaris Lounges(wiki) (thread)}
Summary
The International UC is closed for renovation to a Polaris Club. The SQ & BR lounges have been closed and will be integrated into the new facility. Polaris lounge open 30 April 2018.
SFO Polaris Lounge opens 30 April 2018 (Previews - Press 25th, MP 27th)
The old GFL (near G99) has been converted into a premium cabin international lounge (not an UC). Eventually, it will be converted into a UC for the non-premium cabin international passengers (*G in economy). Now operating as an United Club
The F and E concourse UCs plus again the temporary mezzanine UC lounge (across from Gate 71) are options for those not eligible for the temporary G premium cabin international lounge.
sign
Previous Updates
1 Oct 2017 on united.com
On October 1, the United Club location in the International Terminal will be closed to launch its transition into a United Polaris lounge. An additional United Club location will open across from Gate 71A on the mezzanine level at the end of September. Customers departing out of the International Terminal should allow 10-15 minutes to walk to their gate from the United Club location in Gate 71A or Concourse F.
Bummer - was just in GF lounge and was told that in two weeks it will be a United Club - no showers, no open bar, etc. Was also told that "Polaris" is just a marketing term and that until the actual Polaris lounge opens in 8 months, it's United Clubs for everyone. .....
Closure of San Francisco SilverKris Lounge for renovations
The Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge in San Francisco will be closed for renovations starting from 01 October 2017. As part of the renovations, Singapore Airlines will begin a transition to a newly constructed, shared lounge facility operated by our Star Alliance partner, United Airlines. It is scheduled to open in early 2018.
The Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge in San Francisco will be closed for renovations starting from 01 October 2017. As part of the renovations, Singapore Airlines will begin a transition to a newly constructed, shared lounge facility operated by our Star Alliance partner, United Airlines. It is scheduled to open in early 2018.
Summary of posts suggest the present SFO Global First Lounge will be available for much of first half of 2017. Reports are that the current Global First Lounge will become a "regular" UC, while the current international (G Terminal) UC will become a Polaris club (which will integrate the space currently housing the SQ & BR lounges). UA is also constructing a new UC, either in Terminal G or E (or both). Construction has begun in the G Terminal United Club, a large portion of which is now boarded off. Latest info from UA suggests "summer 2018" for the SFO Polaris lounge opening.
{Similar Threads:
Polaris Lounge Roadmap 2017-2018 (wiki) (thread) --- UA Polaris lounge update site
Polaris lounge ORD - opened 01 Dec 2016 (wiki) (thread)
SFO Lounge changes? Which will become Polaris? Shower options?(wiki) (thread)
United Polaris-New Business Class seats & inflight service and new Polaris Lounges(wiki) (thread)}
SFO G UC closed, reopens as Polaris Lounge 30 Apr 2018, old GFL is now the intl UC
Oct 10, 2017, 12:17 am
#361
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 2,350
I had a few hours at SFO today and walked to all the lounges (including the old SQ and BR lounges where the signs to the corridor are already removed). The temporary lounge is hard to get to (only by 1 elevator) and felt very crammed (no window). I think it is going to be an ugly few months.
Oct 14, 2017, 1:13 pm
#362
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: SFO
Programs: 1MM*G, 1K
Posts: 131
I was in Departures Lounge (Former FCL) Oct 5, and yes, there is self pour champagne. Was Pommery when I was there.
Oct 14, 2017, 8:24 pm
#363
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,074
Oct 14, 2017, 8:28 pm
#364
Join Date: May 2001
Location: RNO, NV, USA.
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 5,063
Oct 15, 2017, 10:08 am
#365
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: SJC
Programs: Does it matter any more?
Posts: 2,153
Sunday morning - few seats open
the usual breakfast spread. Most every seat is taken.
Oct 15, 2017, 10:17 am
#366
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,162
Polaris lounges are available for UA connecting passengers (eg, SFO-ORD-LHR would get you access to the Polaris lounge in both SFO and ORD once they both exist). So would SFO-YVR-SYD with both segments in a premium cabin qualify for the Polaris lounge in SFO?
Oct 15, 2017, 10:37 am
#367
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,025
No. Access to Polaris lounges is only for *G long-haul departures or for those flying United to connect to United Polaris flights at another airport.
Oct 15, 2017, 10:51 am
#368
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,469
As WineCountryUA noted, AC long-haul J flights could give access at (the still theoretical) Polaris lounges at LHR, NRT, or HKG. But never for a US Polaris lounge.
Oct 15, 2017, 12:43 pm
#369
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: ZG
Programs: LH HON, Qantas Platinum, Amex Centurion
Posts: 212
Just had my first visit in the 71A Mezz Lounge. It has the charming mmbiente of a window free prison bunker, totally crowded on top of that. One more reason to avoid United in the future. Their lag on AA is becoming wider and wider - in almost every discipline.
Oct 15, 2017, 12:49 pm
#370
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: UA GS (2MM), Marriott Ambassador Elite
Posts: 24
United Lounge situation at SFO
What a disaster! Not as bad as EWR but bad enough.
The old quiet and reasonable food of the GFL is gone. It's just another crappy UCL now. And we'll need to endure that situation till the summer ... It'll be a tough winter/spring.
The old quiet and reasonable food of the GFL is gone. It's just another crappy UCL now. And we'll need to endure that situation till the summer ... It'll be a tough winter/spring.
Oct 15, 2017, 2:19 pm
#371
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SYD
Programs: UA GS, BA Gold, Marriott Titanium/LT Plat, IHG Gold, National Exec Elite, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,419
I was in the old GFL lounge a few days ago, around 2pm. It certainly wasn't as quiet as the old GFL, but as a business departure lounge, it's a big step up from the international lounge at SFO. Good selection of free self pour booze and some food. I wasn't hungry, so I didn't pay attention the food they served.
Oct 15, 2017, 5:37 pm
#372
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,353
By UA standards (never been to a Polaris lounge) I'd say it's pretty good.
I was in the old GFL lounge a few days ago, around 2pm. It certainly wasn't as quiet as the old GFL, but as a business departure lounge, it's a big step up from the international lounge at SFO. Good selection of free self pour booze and some food. I wasn't hungry, so I didn't pay attention the food they served.
I was in the old GFL lounge a few days ago, around 2pm. It certainly wasn't as quiet as the old GFL, but as a business departure lounge, it's a big step up from the international lounge at SFO. Good selection of free self pour booze and some food. I wasn't hungry, so I didn't pay attention the food they served.
It has what I drink in Centurion, but it's free pour.
And it's on the way to the gate, instead of out of the way.
Definitely more crowded than when it was a GFL, but no more crowded than Centurion.
Oct 15, 2017, 5:45 pm
#373
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Posts: 10,909
My wife, UA Gold due to my 1MM status, flew SFO-PEK on Thursday. Was going to send her to the lounge while she waited for the flight to leave. The instructions were so confusing as to which lounge she could use I just didn't say anything to her. She is a very inexperienced traveler and English is not her first language. The closest I could determine is the old F lounge near gate 98 is a temporary UC. Is this correct? Is this where she could have gone? Was not flying with her so could not guide her once inside security. Some things say it is a Polaris lounge, others that it is a temp UC and some still say it is the F lounge.
Oct 15, 2017, 6:07 pm
#374
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: LAS ORD
Programs: AA Pro (mostly B6) OZ♦ (flying BR/UA), BA Silver Hyatt LT, Wynn Black, Cosmo Plat, Mlife Noir
Posts: 5,992
Can anyone confirm that the Terminal G "temporary lounge"/old GFL does close at 1am, as listed on the website? Just want to doublecheck for my next BR trip since we BR pax got kicked out of our lounge :/
Oct 15, 2017, 6:53 pm
#375
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,700
Changing my TPAC flights away from SFO, and thankful that IAH-SYD direct starts in January.